A prince and a President's son falling in love? SIGN ME UP. While this started strong for me—I enjoyed the writing style, the voices, the premise, the sass and everything at the start, I was heartbroken I fell out of it in the middle of. I felt like the author, as awesome as she is, got so invested in this story's world that she didn't know when or where to stop. I would have found it perfect had it finished resolving just one or two main conflicts, but whenever I sensed some sort of closure folding in, something else problematic arose. That got me to a point of tiredness and just "can we please just have a happily ever after now??" Also, I couldn't agree more with another reader that posted about how this would have worked best as a young adult fiction. But much respect to this body of work and to the author. A story always finds its way to its rightful reader!

I don't know how I could possibly write a review for this book. It wonderful, funny, and sexy. These characters were everything I didn't know I needed. Alex and Henry are unattainable dream goals. Their emails they kept sending to each other made my black withered heart pitter-patter and grow two sizes. And don't get me started on the sibling dynamics (almost started weeping).
This for sure is going to be a Top Book of 2019 for a lot of people and I'm glad it's bringing back the New Adult genre in the spotlight again. It's showing that NA is still awesome and will sell well.

SON OF A MOTHERFUCKING SHITHELLS THE HYPE IS REAL

Look folks, I'll be the first to admit that I'm trash for thinly masked parallel universe royalty fanfics (I still love The Royal We with all my crotchety heart), but I hesitantly tip-toed into this book because I was a little wary of 1) the hype and 2) the fact this is a m/m romance written by a woman.

But this is endearingly, utterly, devastatingly sweet.

It started off very clunky, with writing that was more tell than show and wandered indecisively between past and present tense, but then I got sucked into the characters and this world and holy hell

From the acknowledgments:

"I came up for the idea for this book on an I-10 off-ramp in early 2016, and I never imagined what it would turn out to be. I mean, at that point I couldn't imagine what 2016 itself would turn out to be...Suddenly what was supposed to be a tongue-in-cheek parallel universe needed to be an escapist, trauma-soothing, alternate-but-realistic reality."

This is a world that imagines—what if a woman won the presidency in 2016? What if she was a Texan Democrat? What if she was a divorcee with two grown biracial children? What if these children were first generation immigrants?

What if.

I know half of these reviews are going to be swooning over Alex and Henry and honestly? Fuck those two little shits (I'm channeling Zahra here btw). I'm happy for them and their love story, truly and honestly, but we knew it was going to end well. This is a romance novel.

I fell in love with the supporting cast.

Cash, who orchestrated Alex's and June's love lives with the flair of a cruise director, who wears a pink feather boa in a gay bar like whatevs.

Amy, a fucking Navy SEAL and trans woman and Secret Service agent and all around badass.

Shaan, with his hot ass and British-Indian perfectness.

Nora and June and Bea and Pez, two parts of the Unholy Trinity and four parts of the Sinister Six and all parts supporting and understanding.

Ellen and her powerpoint slide titles.

Rafael Luna and his Skittles and Five Guys addiction.

Oscar Diaz and the most perfect acceptance of his children ever.

And motherfucking Zahra, who is long-suffering, whip-smart intelligent and will literally rip the balls of someone and wear them as earrings to protect her friends—cough, I mean, totally not friends. And conned a massive fucking engagement ring out of her fiance like a the fucking boss she is.

So.

Why read this?

Well, if you like romance novels then sure this is a foregone conclusion and why have you read my review? It's a dumpster fire.

Read this if you are exhausted from the current political climate—this book will "be the spark of joy and hope you needed."

This is the alternate reality that could have been.

In this reality, something as monumentally ridiculous as private email servers is nothing more than a sub plot.

In this reality, love wins.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Red, White & Royal Blue was a surprisingly sneaky read. When I first started reading it, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to the end. It was a little slow at first and the ARC formatting didn't distinguish chapters until chapter NINE so I was a little discombobulated. But, I stuck it out because the more I got to know these guys and their sibs and friends, the more I really enjoyed them and then before I knew it, it was really really late, I had work the next morning and there was no way I was putting down my device until I finished reading it.

The unlikely relationship and how it all worked out + politics + a love story that is chockablock full of diversity and representation is TOTALLY my jam. So while the formatting and the initially slow exposition messed up my reading rhythm, I totally fell for this book, these characters, and would love to see even more of them all!

I freaking LOVED this book. I gave it a 5/5 stars! I found the characters to be wonderful, both the main characters as well as the side characters. The plot was also really interesting and I really liked how to author took this story. From having a woman/Latin representation as the President to the connection Alex has with his roots throughout the book and finally finding himself. I just really loved everything about this story.

Full review at https://booksensationlife.wordpress.com/2019/04/29/red-white-and-royal-blue/

This was was so charming! I loved this world where the US has a divorced female president with Mexican-American kids. The politics was all very interesting and the love story was perfectly full of desire and fun. Highly recommended!

I finished Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston last night and it was amazing!!! It was perhaps the most entertaining read I’ve had in a while. It was such a funny, witty, cute book, and exactly what I needed after my heart being torn to pieces by Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton.
Red, White and Royal Blue is such a chaotic book that I couldn’t help but love it. The main Character, Alex, is a mess on a mess on a mess and I r e l a t e. He’s the kinda guy who you could hit up at 3 AM to break into the CIA building and he’d be like “sure lemme get my gloves and comfy shoes”. I adore him. The love interest, Prince Henry, is an absolute sweetheart. I would fight anyone for him. Even the Queen of England. (I mean, I’d fight her anyway because of the stuff she represents and has let slide and done but you know what I mean.) And Zahra? Legit, she could stomp all over my heart in front of me. I’d literally rip it out of my chest so she could stomp all over it in heels if she was having a bad day. And then I’d thank her. June and Nora are such cuties. Such absolute cuties like… christ I could just hug them so tight for as long as they want because they’re absolutely wonderful and deserve all the love. Also Shaan? What a man. What a cutie. I adore him. I just want to ruffle his hair.
The writing is so witty and cute and I loved it soooo much. I blew through the first 200 pages in a matter of hours. This is a gem of a book. The writing was perfect and sweet and funny and had me laughing my butt off every other page.
This book was also so relatable like holy crap?? The conversations and the interactions and Henry’s “PLEASE DO NOT” every time Alex even breathes in his direction is just beauty. Truly beauty. I love my sons so much😪
Anyway you should read this book, throw it at passerbys to read it, and tell your pets to read it, too. Make everyone’s day better by gifting them this fantastic book. Okay? Okay.
Rep.: Biracial main character, Alex, (Mexican and White) who is bisexual. Gay Love interest.
TW: Ableist language.

Politics and royalty are a wonderful combination. Love this story and the dynamic. Enjoyable, delightful read. Would read again! Easy read, finished in two days

Having just finished Red, White and Royal Blue I am left with a feeling of hope and happiness. It is a very modern take on a somewhat fairy tale. Boy meets boy...doesn't like boy...then falls in love. Mix in politics and different countries and a mix of fun characters and you have an enjoyable romance novel. I did feel it was a little winded in the middle but that towards the end it picked up pace and ended wonderfully.

I enjoyed the modern take on everything and the characters most of all had you rooting for them the whole way.,

Can't wait to see this in movie format!

This book had me grinning the entire time. I loved the relationship between Alex and Henry. I usually don’t like the “enemies to lovers” trope, but in this instance it was played in a way that had me laughing throughout the story. The two are just so cute together! I loved how fluffy this story was. Besides being full of gay love and cuteness, this story does touch on some tough topics that I felt were important for readers in this day and age. There’s a sexual awakening, and being brave enough to admit you are worth fighting for, for wanting things, and for chasing after those things. This is definitely a must-buy!

This book was hilarious, sweet, romantic, and so full of the types of love stories we are in desperate need of at the moment. Alex and Henry felt so real, they were definitely well constructed characters with admirable traits as well as some that weren't as admirable. The story itself was really scandalous, and I was honestly so engrossed by the story it felt really real. I found myself wishing I were living in this alternative United States versus the one we're currently in. I think that this story was very uplifting and all of the characters (main and side) were well developed and had their own mindsets. None of these characters felt static or flat, and the family relationships that were identified in the story were also very well considered. The whole story felt very genuine and that's something that I think is so important. It was everything I wanted to see in a story and more.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is a YA Contemporary/Romance which I received as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from @NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

SYNOPSIS | In this alternative historical fiction, Alex Claremont-Diaz is the First Son of the United States of America as his mother won the 2016 Presidential Election (instead of Donald Trump). Alex has had a lifelong rivalry with Henry the Prince of Wales and when they both accidentally fall onto Prince Philip's wedding cake, destroying it in the process, it is decided that damage control is needed to prevent the media onslaught about the disgruntled relations between America/Britain. Alex & Henry must pretend to be best buddies until that escalates into something more...

MY THOUGHTS | Simply put, I loved this. At the beginning I loved the banter between Alex & Henry and I loved to watch their relationship develop. It truly felt like as a reader we were going on the journey with them as they tried to figure out what they felt for each other, what it actually means, what is the longevity of their relationship etc. The primary reason why I only gave this 4 stars is that there was a lot of references to US politics and the British Royal family of which I have limited knowledge in both & also very little interest. Obviously these topics fit in with the story really well, but I could have enjoyed the story still without a history lesson in them.

This is one of my first LGBT romance and, to be completely honest, I was nervous going into it that I would not connect with the characters (me being a straight woman). HOWEVER my fears were completely unnecessary - we can all connect with two people who just want to love who they love without fear of not being accepted. Add to that, the two people are the First Son of the US and the Prince of England creates a fun and unique storyline. In an age where we don't all trust and believe in our president, this story gave me hope that the future can still be saved and will be different. If you are feeling defeated with our current political system, I highly encourage you to read this book and believe in a better future!

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The son of the first female US president and the Prince of Wales love to hate each other, until a cakestrophe at the heir to the throne's wedding forces the two of them to pretend to be the best of friends.

And then through various circumstances the two of them end up becoming the very best of friends which progresses to the next level - a top-secret affair.

I am not sure how to classify this book. Not really my usual cup of tea - initially I though it was veering towards YA but some scenes are a bit too raunchy for YA.

I will say the author took on a daring task with their character's high profiles and connections. And I'm pretty sure no invitations to the White House nor Kensington Palace will be popping into the author's inbox anytime soon. Very clever use of various names of real members of the Royal Family - although I'm sure they are "not amused"!!

As you read on in this book, you just can't see anyway this relationship can evolve and become something without a HUGE sh*tstorm breaking out.

I liked how the author uses the main characters to highlight various inequalities in society and how they use their influences to do something about them.

A good ending that leaves everyone feeling good.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.

Firstly, I should probably say that I had HUGE expectations going into this book and I was not disappointed in any way. Both of the main characters, Alex and Henry, were fully fleshed out, three-dimensional people, who lived complex and relatable lives (despite one of them being a prince and the other a first-son). The romance between them was perfectly paced and developed, and so very heart-warming. I found myself falling in love right along with them.

The aspect that really made this book shine, however, was the inclusion of queer historical texts peppered throughout Alex and Henry's emails. While queer people may have been silenced, they have ALWAYS been here. We have always existed. By including these little sections, McQuiston manages to place Alex and Henry's 'historic' romance into this silenced but large shared history. It's just a wonderfully affirmative thing for queer readers to know that we're here, we've always been here, and this is a time for our stories to shine.

I truly loved every single word of this book and will be recommending it to everyone I know!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If it's possible to fall in love with a book, then I have. What are you doing here, reading this review? Hurry up and read this book if you are a sane, sensible person.

This book uses enemies to lovers trope, which I, as a hopeless romantic, am truly a sucker for. Henry and Alex both deserve the world but the world does not deserve them. I have decided to adopt them both into my family of underappreciated characters that really need a hug.

The plot is super cute and the characters are adorable. What else do you want in a book? This book is one of my favorites that I've read and will for sure be one that I'll come back to.

Thank you to the author for writing this amazing book, the publisher for bringing it to the world, and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read it before its release for an honest review!

I loved the premise of this book and really enjoyed the beginning. I've many wonderful reviews of this book, so I know that I am the very unpopular opinion in that I did not finish this book. I wasn't expecting the book to be as explicit as it was and I just wasn't into it. I've seen a lot of reviews for this book and how wonderful it is and what a good story it was, and I respect those opinions. It just wasn't a book for me. But I know this is going to be a well loved and popular book.

I received an eARC from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars. Thank you so much for this, it was just what I needed at the time! There were a few moments where it slowed and the chapters seem super long but the jokes and feels kept it flowing and held your interest.

I should have counted how many times I said aww, yes or laughed out loud while reading. It was probably close to every page. A fantastic debut with an adorable enemies to friends to lovers trope that will have you rooting for Alex and Henry the whole way.

I look forward to reading and seeing what Casey comes up with next!

I was a bit scared of reading this one. There were so many 5 stars I was scared that I would be the one weird person who didn't feel the same. But I worried for no reason. This book was so good and definitely deserves all the praise it's been getting.
When the First Son of the United States and the Prince of England get near each other, chaos normally ensues. And this time was no different. Now they're forced to act as best friends when it's clear they'd rather do anything but. Until they start looking at each other differently. They begin to forget, with Alex's mom's re-election bid and Henry helping to keep up his image, that they didn't hate each other after all....
I know I love a book when I catch myself with real feelings about it. And this was the case with this book. I went through the complete cycle of emotions, from laughing, crying, laughing while crying, the whole nine. I felt so connected to this book. I'm not sure of the last one I was into this much. Where I cried THIS hard. It was so good and I hope everyone else that reads it loves it just as much.
As for the romance, I LOVED it! The idea to put the son of the US and the Prince of England together was perfection. I loved their sneaking around too lol It gave new meaning to foreign affair! Although it literally took only one very small incident between them that made him change his mind, I liked that they got together so quickly and we were able to see them actually be together. And because of that, I was really terrified of what I knew was coming. I just KNEW there was going to be something that came up in their relationship that broke them up and by then I was so into their relationship that I was terrified to get there. (I was more worried about HOW it happened than anything but I don't want to add it for fear of spoilers)
As for the writing style, I did feel like it felt kind of jumpy. (But that could have been only my e-ARC not having any breaks in between changing scenes.) But I was still swooped into this story. I wanted it to be real life. From the 2016 election and the one from 2018 in Texas. I also laughed at so many parts, I found myself nervously talking to the book when the election came up, and swooning when certain other things came up. It's been a long time since I was this into a book. I didn't want to stop reading and I was so scared of what would happen to these characters.
Although its a bit on the lengthy side, I can't really say there was anything I didn't enjoy. This is one book I was so excited for for so long and I'm so happy it lived up to my expectations.I can't wait for everyone else to read this book too!

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this! It was my first LGBTQIA novel and it was quite an excellent introduction to the genre. The story was so heartwarming and I admit I felt for both main characters during the ups and downs and I was reduced to tears on several occasions because the downs were heart wrenching and the ups were just beautiful Casey McQuiston did a marvelous job developing these characters and I would definitely read something else by her in the future. The dialogue was hilarious and overall it is exactly what I look for when I want a romantic comedy. I could relate to the diverse group of characters and I loved the ending. This author is definitely going to be on my watch list for the future.